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If Scotland’s troops needed any more inspiration from their Liverpool left-back ahead of tonight’s showdown with Russia, the sight of their skipper’s name on the shortlist for the 2019 FIFA FIFPRO World XI offered it.

Robertson is within an elite group. More than 23,000 peers voted him in there.

In terms of left-backs, only Barcelona’s Jordi Alba, Real Madrid’s Marcelo and Juventus ace Alex Sandro rival him for the place in the final line-up and the Scot is favourite to get the nod when the team is announced at the end of this month in Milan.

Never in the 15-year history of the award has a Scot been nominated yet Robertson just smiles about it. That’s his way. It’s never about him.

He said: “I’m one of 55. It’s probably the biggest squad I have ever been involved in!

“Look, it’s obviously a massive thing for me. Even to be nominated alongside the players there is a special feeling. Also to have six of your Liverpool team-mates there is really good.

“But let’s see if I get in the XI or not. Let’s see how many of us get in the team and it just shows you that a lot of the other Liverpool boys could probably have been there too.”

When it comes to Scotland he’s the driving force but he thinks the same way as he does about his Anfield colleagues.

Robertson knows if he’s going to achieve anything with his country he’s going to need his mates just as much as they need him. He said: “Everyone in the squad wants Scotland to be successful. We are all pushing in the right direction.

“I am the captain and a leader. If people look to me then I will try and push that direction. We need everyone to come with us. Luckily they have done that in terms of application and so on.

“Even when I was at Dundee United I always put in 100 per cent in training. A lot of the lads do and they do push the other squad members on.”

As he spoke, Robertson also mentioned standards not just of players but of staff and the hierarchy.

Robert Snodgrass’ revelations about the open discussions being held with SFA top brass to improve standards across the board have been echoed and backed by the Anfield ace.

With an ex-player in Ian Maxwell in the chief executive role, it helps the messages hit home and Robertson is delighted with the progress.

He said: “It might be only one per cent but they all add up. Luckily we are moving in the right direction. I thought what Snoddy said was spot on.

“Of course when you are at a top club you get everything.

“It’s maybe unrealistic to match that but there are certainly things some people might not think about that I can bring.

“If we see anything capable of being done then we have said that and the SFA have backed us.”

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Of course, behind the scenes set-ups help but when it comes to the crunch it’s only results that matter to the country.

Robertson is well aware of it. He knows this game is dictated by bottom lines.

In terms of his managers, in Steve Clarke and Jurgen Klopp, he’s got a couple of individuals who see that clearly. Both are different in style, yet identical in drive.

Robertson said: “The gaffer here is amazing. I’ve only dealt with him short term but I’ve spoken with him on the phone in between times and he conducts himself very well. What he does in training is very good, getting us defensively sure and making sure we have a threat.

“Jurgen Klopp is one of the best in the business. He’s an amazing manager to work for, so I’m very fortunate to have the two of them as my managers. They are both big characters but in different ways.”

The players are left in no doubt about the demands and Clarke has laid it on the line this week.

Nations League play-offs next March aren’t even a consideration. Getting the big Hampden win against the Russians to relaunch this nation is the only concern.

Robertson said: “I still don’t really know how the Nations League works. It has not even come into my mind.

“We are in a qualifying campaign and I would much rather qualify this way.

(Image: Getty)

“The only way to do that is get a big result and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe we could achieve things. We need to try to get this country back to big tournaments. Too long has passed.

“Too many players have probably sat here and told you that we will get back.

“We need to make sure that we are the group of lads who make it happen. Everyone needs to come with us on the journey because it’s not going to be easy. The Russia game will not be easy.

“It’s pivotal as we know that if we have aspirations of finishing second and qualifying, realistically it’s probably going to be between ourselves and Russia.

“They are our rivals for this group. It’s the first time we have come across them and it’s at home.